Santa Barbara-based indie/folk singer-songwriter Wryn (they/them) whose world shifted four years ago. What transpired was a moniker change to their last name, Wryn — a nod to their evolving sound but more pointedly their transformative relationship with gender. Their reinvention, in sound and spirit, became the ethos of their new album, aptly called Shapes (out 3/28/25) on Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records and produced by Bella Blasko (The National).
On the second single from the album “Snake” Wryn explains “this song stems from righteous anger.” They process the political upheaval of the post-pandemic world with a raspy intimacy that recalls Sharon Van Etten. The resulting song is “a call to something older and deeper. It taps into my own personal experiences of not just systemic violence but the intimate and interpersonal kind.”
You’ve mentioned that your moniker change to Wryn reflects both your evolving sound and your relationship with gender. How did this shift influence your music and the way you approach songwriting?
Really, it was the songs themselves that brought the moniker change. The name is actually already a part of my legal name. So it was, in a sense, accepting these different parts of who I am in a literal way. These songs were the beginning of a more honest and truthful look at myself, discovering who I am through writing them. This change is honoring that.
Your upcoming album, *Shapes*, is a reflection of your reinvention in both sound and spirit. Can you dive deeper into how your personal transformation is woven into the album’s themes and overall tone?
I started writing most of these songs at the beginning of the pandemic. I was at a crux in my life, I was dealing with an immense amount of PTSD and dissociation. Things that I had dealt with for the majority of my life – survival mechanisms. This was a time where, yes, there were many difficulties both interpersonal and global but there was also a space I created (through therapy and good relationships) where I could start to unravel my past and begin to separate myself from my trauma. These songs are a collection of that processing and retrospectively a snapshot of the beginning of that journey.
“Snake” seems to be a powerful and politically charged track. What inspired you to channel your righteous anger into this particular song, and how do you balance personal and political themes in your music?
A saying I keep coming back to is “the personal is political”. I didn’t start writing this song with the idea of making some sort of statement. I wrote it because I was angry, furious with the systems that cause so much pain to so many. There was a sense of collective upheaval, witnessing that movement + action also brought some of my own past pain to light. There was a particular story that triggered some of those feelings for me- my own hurt within the patriarchal systems.
As we can see even more clearly, there is an attack on autonomy within the United States- whether that is anti trans rhetoric, removing access to gender-affirming care, abortion rights, disability justice, Indigenous rights and the rights that protect those from racial + ethnic bias – the list goes on. It’s never felt more personal.
You’ve said that “Snake” taps into your personal experiences with systemic violence and intimate interpersonal struggles. How do you navigate such heavy topics while maintaining the raw intimacy of your music?
This may sound redundant haha but music is a way of processing for me. So if anything it is a release. That is always vulnerable, but there is a power in putting it to words and a somatic release of singing those words aloud. Sharing it for others to hold and possibly receive their own sense of catharsis only makes it more gratifying.
The track “Snake” was described as having a raspy intimacy that recalls Sharon Van Etten. How do you feel your voice and delivery contribute to the emotional depth of the song?
Oh jeez, what a compliment! I recorded all of these songs with just my guitar and vocals live. It was the take that felt right. It’s always hard to capture in studio what a live performance feels like. I think that (while solo) I was able to capture a little of that. All other instrumentation was added after the fact to hold that performance.
Being part of Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records must be a significant milestone. What has it been like working with Bella Blasko and Ani, and how has their influence shaped your new album?
Well, first off, I am opening for Ani this APRIL!!! So that alone is a huge milestone for me. To share the stage with someone who has been so influential to queer people, women, and anyone with the DIY mentality in music is a dream. She is not afraid to speak her mind and has stood up for the things she believes in while building such a beautiful community. What a joy. I can’t wait to join forces and share ‘Shapes’ with the music lovers she draws to her.
Joining RBR has been a blessing for me – to have this kind of support. As any DIY artist knows, it is A LOT OF WORK. The team at RBR has given me a new sense of freedom without taking any of the artistic autonomy away. It is such a gift to work with people who have such similar values, who truly know + honor the struggles within creating something meaningful and sharing it. It means so much to have a team believe in my work. It’s been absolutely life changing.
As far as Bella goes, it all started with Bella! Years ago, we were going to work on an album together that never came to fruition because she took on the job of being the engineer for ‘The National’. Who could blame her?!? In 2021 I wanted to record these songs – it was either going to be true DIY 4-track analog weirdness on my end or (the dream) of working with Bella specifically. I happened to catch her when touring was still at a lull from the pandemic and we made it happen. Her love of the songs and ability to truly hear them was incredible. Working with her was a true artistic melding. We were hearing the same things and she elevated it to this whole other level. Bella brought on Mike Lewis and JT Bates who I am so grateful to have on this album. This piece of work is as much hers as it is mine.
With *Shapes* set to release on March 28, 2025, how have you grown as an artist since your previous work, and in what ways do you feel this album represents the next chapter of your journey?
I’ve been taking my time with this release, only last year ‘Shapes’ was mastered by the incomparable Heba Kadry. One of the things I have believed and had faith in through the process was that things will happen in their own time. Continuing to honor the music as much as possible. I have had nothing but affirmation that this was the right course – as you can see with the amazing opportunities that have come my way.
I continue to grow – this album began in 2021! I have been writing ever since. This is the first leap into being cracked open. I have so much more to give and share. I will continue to strive to be as honest in my writing as possible. As far as the rest of the journey, I will take a “fools leap” into the moments that feel aligned with who I am. I can’t wait for this tour
You’ve described the political landscape of the post-pandemic world as a key theme in “Snake.” How do you see your music serving as a response to the current socio-political climate?
For me, right now, it is a call to action, within myself and hopefully to those who hear it. There is no reason to tolerate this injustice. In whatever way – finding something you believe in, supporting it locally, following those who know how to help people – we are tasked with standing up to the status quo and gathering together in community to care for eachother.
As someone who has gone through a profound personal transformation, how do you see your music acting as a form of self-empowerment or healing for yourself and for others who might resonate with your experiences?
I never feel more like myself than playing music and sharing it with whoever will listen. That has always and will forever be an anchor to who I am. Sharing these deep journeys through song, even little half songs I post on the internet there are instances where I will receive a DM or someone will come up to me after a show and tell me that I moved them in some way. THAT is always a powerful and beautiful experience, to be connected through our own healing, to be seen.
Looking ahead, what do you hope listeners take away from *Shapes* and the stories you’re telling through songs like “Snake”? What message do you hope to leave with your audience?
I hope that people can connect in some way, to feel seen, to dig deeper into themselves, to have empathy for others, to feel catharsis, just to feel.
